SEYMOUR >> Residents can expect to pay the same or less in taxes next year, under First Selectman Kurt Miller’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2016-17.

Miller presented his $56.1 million budget proposal, which includes $32.6 million for the Board of Education, to the Board of Finance Thursday. The proposal represents an increase of about $300,000, or 0.54 percent, over the current $55.9 million budget.

And while Miller said the tax rate is projected to increase by 1.17 mills, due to revaluation and a loss of $1.3 million in revenue, as well as a drop in the Grand List of taxable property from $1.23 million to $1.19 million, taxes will remain the same or less for residents.

For example, under the current 34.59 mills, a taxpayer with a house assessed at $200,000 is paying $6,918 per year in taxes. Under the proposed new rate of 35.76 mills, and that same house now assessed at $190,000 with revaluation, that same taxpayer would pay $6,794 in taxes next fiscal year, or $124 less, according to Miller.

“The vast majority of residents will pay less or the same amount in taxes as (the current budget year),” Miller said, if his proposed budget is approved by the finance board as-is. He said the town would need to collect $250,000 less in revenue next year, again, due to revaluation.

Miller said the budget also takes into account the statewide mandated tax rate on cars of 32 mills.

The finance board will spend the next few weeks reviewing adjusting the proposal as it sees fit. Once the board approves a budget, it will go to an public hearing for residents, then to an annual town meeting and ultimately to a budget referendum later this spring, when residents will cast ballots for both the town and Board of Education budgets.

“This is a tight budget, and there is not a lot of fluff and there is not a lot of wiggle room,” said Miller.

Under Miller’s proposal, there are some new initiatives and increases included, geared to continue the town’s proactive road improvement program ($200,000), creation of a large-scale town building repair account and creation of a debt stabilization fund. There’s $38,000 for a new town-wide “floater” position, an individual who would work not only in the first selectman’s office but also would serve as a Town Hall receptionist and “float” to other departments as needed, according to Miller. Adding the position will enable Town Hall to again go to a full five days per week, which Miller expects to happen in early May.

Miller, since taking office in 2011, said the town’s fund balance has grown by more than $1.7 million, the town’s bond rating has increased two levels to AA+, saving more than $1 million due to low borrowing rates and overall improved Seymour’s fiscal health.

“I’m bringing in a budget as low as possible, keeping taxpayers in mind, with new initiatives geared to continue to move the town forward,” said Miller.